Correspondent

Hindus are upset over an article in Arkansas?s John Brown University (JBU) student newspaper calling Hindu gods as "demonic" and Hinduism as "ugly religion". Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that such statements coming out of an educational institution were really shocking.

He pointed out that it was highly inappropriate for a publication
of educational institution like JBU, which was listed as one of
America?s Best Colleges by Forbes, to belittle Hinduism, which was
the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one
billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought.

Our gods were highly revered to us and we considered them divine
and worship them and our religion was very sacred to us. JBU, which
claimed to be an educational leader providing ?academic, spiritual
and professional foundation for world-impacting careers? to
students from across the globe, should be more sensitive about the
feelings of ?others?, Zed noted.

The article titled "Rethink yoga" by Deborah
Raiees-Dana, who is described as ?the tutoring coordinator for
Student Support Services?, includes lines ??yoga is the
beautiful face that the very ugly religion of Hinduism uses?? and
"...yoga has its roots in the worship of demonic Hindu gods."
It further says: "There is more I have left unsaid than I have
said."

There are about three million Hindus in USA.

Launched in 1919, JBU with a 200-acre main campus in Siloam
Springs in Northwest Arkansas (USA), serves over 2,500 students from
42 US states and 44 countries. Its Mission includes ??education
that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing
their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives?.

President Pollard states under "Greetings" on the
website: JBU is dedicated to one thing, educating the whole person -
"head, heart and hand." It offers nine graduate degree
programs, 40 undergraduate majors and 47 undergraduate minors and
?admits students of any faith?. Michael R. Kairis is Chairman of
its Board of Trustees and Sidney Van Wyk is the Editor-in-Chief of
?The Threefold Advocate?.